Mechanic&#39;s square.



No. 666,455'. Patented lah. 22, 190|.

. G.'B.-BANNIHB.

mEcHANlcs SQUARE.

(Application led Aug. 3, 1899.) v (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet I;

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No. 666,455. Patented VIan. 22, |90|. C. R.y BANNIHB.

MECHANICS SGUARE.

I (Applicltiop led Aug. 3, 1899.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Shen 2.

TN: nnms PETERS ce Normung, WASHINGTON. n. c,

CAESAR R. BANNIHR, OF NE/V YORK, N. Y.

NIECHNICHS SQUARE.

SEEJFEGATIN forming part of Letters Patent No. 666,455, dated January 22, 1901.

Application filed August S, 1899.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that l, OAESAR R. BANNIHR, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented a new and useful device forming a mechanics square in combination with sliding scales and bevel-protractor and compass and gages, making a convenient mathematical and practical instrument for the carpenter or builder and useful in the mechanical arts in general, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in the instrument known as a carpenters square, and the objects of my improvements are, lirst, to provide a square which is suitable for all the ordinary uses to which a square may be put and also to form a miter and try square and to place in connection with these scales by which any desired measurements may be ascertained, such as the length of rafters, posts, braces, sections of polygons, dac.; second, to ai'ord a device which while carrying out the iirst object in actual practice will supply means to get accurate bevels and angles, curves, dac., and, third, to form a combination of a square, bevel-protractor, compass, and gages, and scales in a compact and handy arrangement. I attain these objects by the device illus trated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a face view of the entire device l or square, as I will hereinafter call it.

Fig. 2 is an edge view of the same. Fig. 3 is a full-sized view of a part of the scales, bar, and slide used to ascertain measurements. Fig. fl is a sectional view of the set-screw and compass-point in detail. Fig. 5 is asectional View of the upper and lowerparts of the stock B on the line 5 5 in Fig. l. Fig. 61s an edge View of the bar and Vernier shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Fig. 7 represents-a face view of the square adj usted against a piece of lumber,and` it also shows the bar and scales used in ascertaining measurements as it is packed away in the stock when not in use. Fig. 8 shows a section of the stock containing bar cand vernierf on line S 8 in Fig. 7.

Similailetters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The steel blade A, the stock B, with set- Serial No. 726,064. (No modehr and stock comprise the main parts of the square.

The blade A is of suitable material, preferably of steel, of about seventeen gage, and of the shape as shown in Fig. l, in which is also shown the size by the graduations on the outer edges, which graduations represent is a diagram of the lines of the square and the lines representing rafters and the plate of a building, with lines showing how to set the stock B to ascertain side bevel or backing, as it is called. The stock B is also of metal and is best made, by drop-forging, of steel, and then finished and nickel-plated. It is in two parts. The upper part is frame-like, with holes in the ends for the screwsctand O, and has thegraduations d, representing feet and inches, on the inner left-hand side, the first line being on line with the center of screw a. The vernier-graduations 0L" on the upper end are to line with the degree-scale, the lower part being in position on the under side of the blade A and is made the same as the upper part, but is solid and has the dovetailed grooves b" and h running parallel with it. It has the two screw-holes for screws a and O and has a recess or space cut away at the upper end of the groove h to allow the Vernier f, with bar c, to be placed therein when the same is taken from the slide h and is to be kept there when not in use and is held in place by the set-screw C, which passes through the hole t', made for that purpose.

The set-screw C is a thumb-screw with a large knurled head. It has a hole bored through it, as shown in section in Fig 4, and while it is a set-screw to clamp the stock B to the blade A it also serves as a compasspoint by means of the steel pin j, which when in position passes through the screw and is long enough to project below the end of said screw. The coiled spring o is to hold up said pin or point and comes in position under its head, the prong passing through it. This screw C, and the graduations on the blade l spring rests in the counterbored recess. The

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next recess above is for the head of said pin, which has a liange. The recess above this is for the ring or collarj, shown above the head of the pin in Fig. 4. This ring when in position is driven into the last recess mentioned in the head of the screw. Thus the head of the pin takes the form of a push-button.

The slide K is made of three pieces of steel, the central part being made to tit in the slot m and being nearly of the same thickness as the blade A, and the upperand under pieces are of springsteel, lapping over the blade A, and are riveted to the central piece and grip on the blade A, remaining in position by friction; but fora more positive means a screw or cam-lever may be used. The said slide has the V-shaped hole l, which is for the purpose of inserting a pencil or scribe. The screw c1, forms the point of bearing on which the stock B swings and also serves to hold the two parts of the stock together at that end.

The slide b is a fiat piece of steel fitted into the dovetailed groove b and has a transverse groove 19" for the baro to move in. This bar o is a thin piece of fiat steel of the width to form a moving t in groove b" and of the required length, as shown by the main graduations o' thereon, which are one half inch apart and represent feet and the minor ones inches. The Vernier-divisions on the slide b will divide the inches into sixteenths. In this instance there are sixteen to seventeen on the bar c. The center line on the vernici' on slide b is the zero-line, as I use the center of stock B for one line for calculating. The end of bar c toward scale e on blade A is enlarged and has a pivot-hole on line with the lower edge in which the pivot g turns and to which the vernierf is secured. This Vernier is a small parallel piece of steel, one edge lining with and against the part ot` the blade A on which the scale eis located. The vernier-divisionsf' are the same as on the slide b, with this difference only: The zeroline is the irst line at the left end, since I use the lower edge of the bar c as one line in taking measurements. The hole 'L' in the bar c is for the set-screw C to pass through when the bar c is slid into the groove hin the stock B, where it is to be kept when not in use.

Having described the parts which enter into and form the improved square, as shown in the drawings, I will now describe how the same may be used.

In the first place the stock B is pivotally connected with the blade A at a., making the center on which thestock swings at the point where the lines forty-tive degrees and ninety degrees are concentric with said graduations of the degree-scale d' on blade A,and by means of the Vernier-graduations a2 on the end of stock B the stock may be placed at any angle and clamped there by means of thc set-screw C and by the edges of the long and short arms A and A" of blade A opposite angles, asV for seat and top bevel of rafters, may be scribed\ without the change of the position of the stock B. The square is a try and miter square by means ot'its inner diagonal edge A'll of the blade A, which is at forty-tive degrees to the long and short blades A and A"; but by using the stock B as one line the blades A and A are miter blades and the diagonal edge Al is at right angles. This is the position of the stock as shown in the drawings. The slide b in the stock B, the transverse bar c and its graduations, the graduated scale d o'n the inner left-hand side of the stock B and the graduated scale e on the blade A, the Vernier-scale f', swinging on the pivot g, and the vernier-graduations on the slide IJ comprise the parts by which measurementssuch as length of rafters, braces, posts, or sections of polygons-may be ascertained. The 'modus operandi is to set the stock B at any desired angle and slide the slide l) so the edge of the scale c will line with any line wanted on the scale d. Then slide transverse scale c toward the scale@ until the vernier f lines parallel against said scale and read on scale e the number of feet and inches and on the Vernier the fractions ot' an inch. Thus as it is shown in the drawings, Fig. l, the slide b is set so the bar c is on line seven feet on scale d and seven feet on the scale c' on bar c by the center of the vernici on the slide b, which is the centerof thestock B. The length of a rafter or brace would be nine feet eleven inches as you will read on the scale c and vernierf'. This will of course work the same for any angle and also when the angle is not known. For instance, if I want to cut a rafter for a roofof arise of four feet to a width of building oi' twelve feet I set the slide b so the lower edge ot' bar c comes on line with six feet on the scale d and at the same time slide the bar c so that the line four feet will come on the center line on the vernier on the slide b. Then move the stock to the left until the vernierj'is adj usted parallel with scale 6 on blade A. Secure the stock B to said blade by the set-screw C and read the length of rafter required, and also have the seat-bevel by the long blade A and the top bevel by the short blade A, both in conjunction with the stock B. To get the length of a king-post, the above data being known, read on the scale c t'or feet and inches and on the Vernier b' for fractions of an inch. There being eight divisions each side of the zero-line on the Vernier b', when the reading is more than eight it is necessary to read from Zero to the left and Vdeduct from sixteen, or add to eight what it indicates from the other end. For a brace connecting a beam and post at an angle of forty-live degrees to each set the stock B at an angle of forty-ve degrees and the scale o and slide b so that vernierf' will indicate on scale e whatever distance is required on the beam or post to the intersection with the outer edge of the brace. Then read on scale c at Vernier-lineon slide b. Double this and vou will have length required.` I double this, because only half the length is IOO IIO

obtained, as the bar c represents the brace in this case and I read on the center of the stock B. The length of a brace can also be obtained by the method used to get the length of rafters as above. For jack-rafters I proceed the same as for a king-post, only the scale c will represent the hip-rafter and the stock B the plate on which I set off the distance, I wish to place the jack-rafters apart, and to get the length of the jack-rafters it will be necessary to let the bar c, with scale c', represent the first common rafter and the hip-rafter indicate where to set it. By placing the slide l) at a point on scale a, determined by the distance apart I wish to place the ljack-rafters, then I may adjust the scale c' to ascertain their length. The stock B thus set and secured by the set-screw C is right to scribe side bevel or backing for jackrafters by the blade A". Side-bevel or backing for hip-rafters is found by setting the stock B back one-half the numbers of degrees between the position for side bevel for jackrafters, as described above, and the line forty-five degrees on the protractor. Thus set the stock is right to scribe said bevel in the same way as for jack-rafters. To ascertain one side of a polygon of whatever form, set the stock B to what would be double the number of sides on the protractor. Then set the scale c' at the Vernier b to the required radius and adjust said scale on the scale e same as for a hing-post or brace. Then read on the scale c for feet and inches and on the Vernier b' for fractions of an inch. Double this and I have the length of one side of the polygon. As the stock is now set it is right to scribe for the joining ends of said side of the polygon by the edge of blade A/ or the short blade and for the center line by the long blade A'.

Diameters and circumference of circles can be ascertained by the square and scales by setting the stock B on seventeen and onehalf degrees on the scale ct and placing the edge of bar c at what will be three times the diameter of the circle required on scale d. Then slide the bar c toward the scale e until the vernierfis adjusted, the same as for a rafter, and read on scale e forfeet and inches and on the vernierf for fractions of aninch, and I have the circumference of said circle. To ascertain the diameter, as will be seen, the order is simply reversed, and one-third of the reading on scale d will be the required diameter.

Many problems may be solved by the square similar to the slide-rule, or, as it is possible with the ordinary carpenters square, by knowing .the rules applied thereto the same rules may be applied to this square. It will, however, not be necessary to go into any further explanation here, as it cannot all be told at best, asan instrument of this kind is adaptable to an endless variety of uses in the line for which it is designed. To draw curves or circles with it, I set the stock B anywhere desired on the scale a and the slide k in the slot m to any radius from the point j in the setscrew C, which will be the center, and by pushing on the head of ping with the thumb of the left hand and then inserting a pencil or scribe in the V-shaped hole Z and swinging the whole instrument around on thecenter pointj the circle may be drawn.

To use the square as a gage, set the stock B parallel with blade A and the slide 7c in the slot m to whatever distance from the upper end of the stock B. Then, as in drawing circles, a pencil or scribe in the hole Zwill scribe the line wanted, as for mortising, dac., and the lower part of the stock B will serve as a rest.

The slide 7c and one end of the slot m can be used as a gage to measure the diameter of screws, bolts, dac.

To make the manner of ascertaining side bevel with the square comprehensive, it is necessary to have the diagram and inscription, shown at a3, on the blade A, Fig. l, for reference.

I have thus far only made use of one side of the square-blade A. The other side may, however, have any desired matter or graduations suitable; but not entering into the description of the novelty of the instrument it is not shown.

The stock and blades are preferably made of steel. However, I do not confine myself to the use of this metal or to the exact construc. tion of the stock, as the same results may be obtained by slightly different construction; but as it is immaterialit will not be necessary to go into further detail here.

It is not a necessary feature to have the segmental-shaped hole in the blade A. It might be solid, save a slot for the screw to move in; but to reduce Weight without injury to strength this part was removed.

I am aware that prior to my invention squares with a stock swinging on a pivot and being secured with a set-screw have been made. Thus I do not claim such a c0mbination, broadly; but

What I do claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A square consisting of a metal blade A, stock B, scales c, d, e, and Vernier-scales b and f arranged as herein shown and for the purpose described, a screw a, and set-screw C with a compass-pointyl and a spring 0, a slide lt with V-shaped hole Z and slot WL, and the graduations on the different parts all for the purpose shown and described.

2. The combination in a inechanics square of the blade A and a stock B pivoted at o., concentric with the segmental scale a', the slide l) and Vernier ZJ', transverse bar c and scale c', and pivotally-arranged Vernier on said bar to line with a straight edge on blade A, and scale e for the purpose herein shown and described.

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3. A square-blade A and stock B with the set-screw C, the compass-point j and slide k and slot on for the purpose herein shown and described.

4. In a mechanics square having blade A and stock B, a recess h arranged and shown for the purpose of holding the bar c with vernierf in position by means of the hole t' and set-screw C as herein shown and described.

5. In a mechanics square a blade A and stock B and scales c, d, e, and Vernier b' and f', scales ct and a and the inscription am for obtaining side bevel as herein shown and described.

6. In a mechanics square the combination of a blade A, a stock B and sliding scales, the set-screw C with the center point jas herein set forth, the slide 7c with scribing angle-hole Z and slot m all as herein shown and described.

7. A mechanics square consisting of the hercin-described graduated blade with a pivotally-arranged stock with a Vernier-slide movable parallel with said stock, a transverse bar of a moving fit in said Vernier-slide, a pivotally-arranged Vernier on said bar, the graduations on the inner side of the stock in combination with the Vernier-slide and graduations on the transverse bar, a set-screw and a two-part stock all for the purpose herein shown and described.

8. In a mechanics square, the combination of a plate having two graduated arms connected by a diagonal portion having a segmental scale, a stock pivoted at a fixed graduation at the intersection of said arms and arranged to be set at an angle on said segmental scale, and a transverse graduated bar mounted on said stock and adjustable both longitudinally and laterally with reference thereto and adapted to register at one end With one of the graduated arms.

9. In an instrument of the class herein described, a graduated blade with a slot in one arm of said blade in which is Itted a slide movable parallel with said arm, a stock the upper part being a frame-like parallelogram and the lower part solid, with parallel grooves, a screw at each end, one a pivot and the other a set screw with a knurled head, a hole centrally through said set-screw with counterbored recesses, a spring, a pin with an enlarged head and a collar all for the purpose herein set forth and described.

10. In an instrument of the class herein described a graduated blade with arms at right angles to each other and diagonal sections with a segmental scale connecting the said arms, a stock of two parts parallelly connected by two screws, a slide movable parallel with said parts of said stock, a transverse bar with a pivotally-connected Vernier removable from a transverse position in said slide and stock, and a stock with parallel grooves to receive the said bar all as herein set forth and described.

CAESAR R. BANNIHR.

Witnesses:

ABRAM R. DE MOTT, GEO. C. SAVAGE. 

